The Crystal Mill

The Crystal Mill is a Colorado icon. It is one of the most photographed places in the state. It was on my list to see and photograph for years…decades really. When I finally got the opportunity to go in fall of 2021, it turned out to be quite an adventure. I went with a group of incredible female photographers at the perfect time of year. We were able to be escorted down close to the falls and the riverbed for shooting. Towards the end of the evening, my camera and lens went for a swim in the falls. While it didn’t survive, luckily the memory card did, and I was able to walk away with this image.

The area became so popular and the remails have become a subject of vandalism, it was closed off to wanderers. People may view it from a dirt road alongside, but wandering in, on, and around the mill is limited and restricted. The Mill is much more protected now so that it may be shared and preserved. You can read about its interesting history at the following site: https://marblecolorado.org/attractions/crystal-mill/.